House Advances Bill to Restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Immigrants

Six Republicans join Democrats in defying Trump administration's efforts to end the program

Apr. 16, 2026 at 3:05am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a solitary Haitian immigrant worker standing alone in an urban setting, their face partially obscured by shadows but conveying a sense of uncertainty and resilience.A poignant portrait of a Haitian immigrant worker, their future in the U.S. uncertain as lawmakers debate the fate of Temporary Protected Status.NYC Today

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance a measure that would reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Haitian immigrants, with six Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in the effort. The legislation seeks to grant TPS for three years, despite the Trump administration's previous attempts to terminate the program for around 350,000 Haitian immigrants living in the U.S.

Why it matters

The vote highlights the bipartisan opposition to the Trump administration's efforts to end TPS for Haitian immigrants, who advocates say contribute significantly to the U.S. economy and workforce, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and education. The move also comes amid ongoing political and humanitarian crises in Haiti that have made the country unsafe for deportations, according to some lawmakers.

The details

The measure, introduced by Reps. Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Mike Lawler (R-NY), was advanced through a parliamentary procedure known as a discharge petition, which allowed it to bypass House leadership opposition. Gillen argued that removing Haitian immigrants with TPS would be a "humanitarian catastrophe" and hurt the U.S. economy. Several Republican members, including Reps. María Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Gimenez of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis of New York, voted with Democrats to force the vote.

  • The House voted 219-209 on the discharge petition on April 16, 2026 to force a vote on the TPS bill.
  • The final vote on the legislation is set for April 17, 2026.

The players

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

A Democratic Congresswoman from Massachusetts and co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, who led the effort to advance the TPS legislation through a discharge petition.

Rep. Laura Gillen

A Democratic Congresswoman from New York who introduced the TPS legislation with Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.

Rep. Mike Lawler

A Republican Congressman from New York who introduced the TPS legislation with Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration previously attempted to terminate Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Haitian immigrants living in the U.S.

President Joe Biden

The current U.S. president whose administration is expected to appeal a federal judge's order indefinitely postponing the termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserve—and it's a testament to the strength of our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition.”

— Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Democratic Congresswoman from Massachusetts

“The State Department claims it is too dangerous for American citizens to go to Haiti because of kidnapping, gang violence and widespread chaos, but yet, the administration has said it's safe for Haitians to return there.”

— Rep. Laura Gillen, Democratic Congresswoman from New York

“Removing TPS status for Haitians living in the United States would cost 350,000 workers their ability to work at a time when we're already facing serious workforce shortages. I don't see the goodness of deporting people who are here legally, working, and contributing to our country.”

— Rep. Don Bacon, Republican Congressman from Nebraska

“These are Haitian immigrants who are working, paying taxes and contributing to our economy and fulfilling a healthcare need. To strip them of their status and deport them to a country in peril would be uncompassionate and misguided.”

— Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Republican Congresswoman from New York

What’s next

The House is expected to hold a final vote on the TPS legislation for Haitian immigrants on April 17, 2026. If passed, the bill would then move to the Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

The bipartisan effort to restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants highlights the ongoing political tensions and humanitarian concerns surrounding the U.S. government's immigration policies, particularly towards vulnerable populations facing instability and crises in their home countries.